Murnane Wharf . . .

[See March 20, 2009 street roots edition or for a very little taste see their blog]

Forgotten? It seems it doesn't exist.

A Google search - produced two entries. One is the street roots reference and the other is found as a trivia question # 10 in the "Trivia Challenge 2008 Open House hosted by The Archives and Record Management Program of the City Auditor."

PdC in its publications on the Ankeny Burnside project - still on-going - refers to it as Ankeny Square Dock. The goal is to replace it with a different dock area.

Mr. Munk's excellent article that raises an issue that ought to be a concern to masses, especially anyone that might have the slightest interest in the labor history of Portland's waterfront - the destiny of the Wharf and the plaque honoring Francis J. Murnane.

The following is lifted from Mr. Munk's article describing the contents of a once extant plaque:

The Murnane Wharf included a floating dock, viewing piers and access stairs at whose head was a bronze plaque containing the ILWU emblem, pictures of Murnane and a ship similar to the ones he worked on as a slingman. It stated: Here at the site of Portland's first commercial dock, the citizens of Portland, Oregon, have dedicated this area of the Waterfront Park in memory of Francis J. Murnane, many times president of ILWU Local 8, in recognition of his years of service to the "men along the shore" whose labor, sweat and skill have helped make our city one of the great ports of the world. His concern encompassed the city, its fountains, parks, statutes and its history. he was known by the City fathers of his time as the "cultural and historical conscience of Portland."

[Just in case - "ILWU" is the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. Slingman: "The slingman of a stevedore's crew employed to load a vessel, whose duty it is to stand on the wharf and attach the hoisting- tackle to the articles to be loaded, is a fellow- servant of the riggers, whose duty it is to set up and rig the hoisting apparatus to the vessel.--Burns v. Sennett, 5 Cal. Unrep. 370, 44 Pac. 1068"].

Where is the plaque now? Maybe PdC knows? Clearly they are aware of the plaque. According to Mr. Munk - they put up $500 to replace the plaque that was once stolen in 1989. It has been since removed for current construction.

Mr. Munk apparently received a promise from Mayor Potter who "assigned a staff member to assure [the plaque] would resume its honored place on the waterfront."

The destiny of the Wharf and its place in Portland's history is as Mr. Munk states - ". . . up to the labor movement and the public to make sure the former mayor's intent is carried out."

Click on the pictures to enlarge. The first one shows the wharf to the right of the Pump Station (white building). The second is another view. And, the third is a proposed redesign of the wharf area. Still room for the plaque which is most important.